Macau

Introduction

Front door

With less than 100 km (60 mi) separating it from Hong Kong, Macau has been overshadowed by its popular neighbour. But Macau can't complain: a thriving gambling industry has brought the city great wealth. Nor can visitors complain, as Macau is one of China's most interesting cities. Macau is a limited democracy whose foreign and defence affairs are the business of China. What makes Macau really fascinating, though, is its starkly Mediterranean look. The Portuguese turned it into a significant port in the middle of the 16th century; over the centuries, it turned into a home for the Portuguese elite and, as a result, distinctly Portuguese architecture began to spring up. Christianity filtered into China through Macau, too. The city is the site of the Basilica de São Paulo, one of the most important monuments of Christianity in China.

Brief History

Macau did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. In 1535, Portuguese traders obtained the rights to anchor ships in Macau's harbours and to carry out trading activities. Around 1552–1553, they obtained temporary permission to erect storage sheds onshore, in order to dry out goods drenched by sea water; they soon built rudimentary stone houses around the area now called Nam Van. In 1557, the Portuguese established a permanent settlement in Macau, paying an annual rent of 500 taels of silver.

In 1583, the Portuguese in Macau were permitted to form a Senate to handle various issues concerning their social and economic affairs under strict supervision of the Chinese authority. Macau prospered as a port but was the target of repeated failed attempts by the Dutch to conquer it in the 17th century. Following the Opium War (1839–42), Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane in 1851 and 1864 respectively. In December the 1st, 1887, the Qing and Sino-Portuguese governments signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, under which China ceded the right of "perpetual occupation and government of Macau by Portugal”. In return, Macao Government would cooperate with Hong Kong's smuggle of Indian opium. Portugal was also obliged "never to alienate Macao without previous agreement with China", therefore ensuring that Macau would not go into other hands. Macao officially became a Portuguese territory.

In 1928, after the Qing Dynasty had been overthrown, the Kuomintang government officially notified Portugal that it was abrogating the Treaty of Amity and Commerce; the two powers signed a new Sino-Portuguese Friendship and Trade Treaty in place of the abrogated treaty. Making only a few provisions concerning tariff principles and matters relating to business affairs, the new treaty did not alter the sovereignty of Macau and Portuguese government of Macau remained unchanged.

Influenced by the Cultural Revolution in mainland China and by general dissatisfaction with Portuguese government, riots broke out in Macau in 1966. In the most serious, the so-called 12-3 incident, 6 people were killed and more than 200 people were injured. On 28 January 1967, the Portuguese government issued a formal apology.

Shortly after the overthrow of the Salazar dictatorship in 1974 in Lisbon, the new Portuguese government determined it would relinquish all its overseas possessions. In 1976, Lisbon redefined Macau as a "Chinese territory under Portuguese administration" and granted it a large measure of administrative, financial, and economic autonomy. Three years later, Portugal and China agreed to regard Macau as "a Chinese territory under (temporary) Portuguese administration". In 1987 China and Portugal signed a Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, making Macau a special administrative region of China. The Chinese government assumed formal sovereignty over Macau on 20 December 1999.

Geography

Macau is situated 60 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong and 145 kilometres from Guangzhou. It also has 41 kilometres of coastline, yet only 310 metres of land border with Guangdong. It consists of the Macau Peninsula itself and the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are now connected by landfill forming the Cotai Strip. The peninsula is formed by the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) estuary on the east and the Xi Jiang (West River) on the west. It borders the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone in mainland China. The main border crossing between Macau and China is known as the Portas do Cerco (Barrier Gate) on the Macau side, and the Gongbei Port of Entry on the Zhuhai side. Macau Peninsula was originally an island, but a connecting sandbar gradually turned into a narrow isthmus, thus changing Macau into a peninsula. Land reclamation in the 17th century transformed Macau into a peninsula with generally flat terrain, though numerous steep hills still mark the original land mass. Alto de Coloane is the highest point in Macau, with an altitude of 170.6 metres. With a dense urban environment, Macau has no arable land, pastures, forest, or woodland.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Historic Centre of Macau

The Historic Centre of Macau is a World Heritage Site. This place Macau owes to its numerous historic monuments, including the ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral, a fortress and a lighthouse as well as colonial colourful buildings and historical streets with some cobblestones. But it also was a strategically located port and of importance in the development of international trade. Macau was a Portuguese colony from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it was returned to China.

Gambling

Casino Lisboa, Macau

Macau has become one of the biggest centres of gambling around the world and it is to be expected that within the near future there will be more casinos than in Las Vegas. Most casinos are in the city of Macau itself, between the historic centre and the harbour where most ferries from Hong Kong arrive. The Grand Lisboa probably is the best known but there are many more, all with their own characteristics. One building has an entire golden façade. Many people from China and Hong Kong come here, because officially it is illegal anywhere else.

Southern islands

The main Macau Peninsula (with historical Macau) is connected by three bridges with the island of Taipa. Further south is Coloane. The international airport is on Taipa and this area is developing in a very high speed, with very large new casinos being built as we speak, and some residential areas as well. Further south though at Coloane you can find some older fishing villages, beaches and great hiking and biking. Do not forget to stop once a while and have some fine seafood in one of the restaurants. Coloane is home to a golf course as well.

Weather

Macau generally has warm to hot weather with relatively high humidity. The worst months are from May/June to September when the temperatures are above 30 °C during the day and at night it doesn't get any cooler than 25 °C. On top of that, the humidity can be overwhelming and it is rainy season with serious downpours and occasional hurricanes (typhoons) which can strike Macau. January and February are dry but cool with temperatures just under 20 °C on average and nights below 10 °C common. October to December is warmer and sunny and is the best time for a visit.

By Car

You can travel by car to/from Macau from two point in mainland China, connecting with Zhuhai. Few travellers get here with their own car or rental car though as travelling China by yourself in a car requires a special Chinese driver's licence and some bureaucratic hassle. Most people have a driver and you can take a taxi to Macau as well.

By Bus

Buses travel regularly to Guangzhou and Shenzhen and also to Dongguan, al of them in the Guangdong Provincie in China. It's about 2 hour to Guangzhou, 3 to the others. To Zhuhai from those places is also possible after which you cross into Macau on foot. Accommodation and food is much cheaper in Zhuhai.

By Boat

Boats connect Macau with Hong Kong. Some boats go to Hong Kong Island while most go to the Kowloon pier. In Macau, they arrive on the Macau Peninsula, just east of the main casino area. The Turbojet and New World First Ferries are the main operators. There are even several daily connections between Macau and Hong Kong International Airport directly with Turbo Jet Sea Express.

Turbo Jet offers several ferries each day between the Macau Ferry Terminal (Outer Harbour) and the Fu Yong Ferry Terminal near Shenzhen Airport. There are connections to Shenzhen itself (Shekou) from the Inner Harbour as well as the Outer Harbour. Check Yuet Tung Shipping Co (Tel: +853-28574478) or Shenzhen Xunlong Shipping, the latter also has connections from Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal to Shenzhen. CKS has ferries to/from Jiangmen near Zhuhai, while Yuet Tung also goes to Zhuhai (Wanzai).

Getting Around

By Car

Although several international and local companies offer cars for rent, it is not recommended nor necessary to get around by car, as distances are small and especially in the city itself things can get crowded sometimes. Traffic drives on the left and you need an international driving permit to rent one.

By Public Transport

TCM and Transmac both run buses in Macau and to the southern island of Taipa. Taxis are cheap and if shared with a few persons, make for a fast and economical way of getting around.

Most of the casinos in Macau provides free shuttle bus to the Ferry Terminals, Portas do Cerco (to China), airport, and others casinos or hotels.

By Foot

This is the best way of getting around Macau city itself and one or two days allows you to enjoy most sights by foot. A good map is essential though and remember that Macau is rather hilly and several sights are located on those hills. It can be hectic sometimes as well, though many streets have special pedestrian sideways.

By Bike

Bikes can be rented at Taipa island, but are of no use in the city and can not be taken from Taipa island at all. But you won't miss them in Macau city at all.

Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Macau. There is one exception though. You need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Macau) where that disease is widely prevalent.

It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Macau. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and when travelling longer than 2 weeks also typhoid. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as hepatitis B are sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Only in rare cases is vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis recommended. Malaria does not occurs in Hong Kong, but dengue sometimes does. Just use mosquito repellant and wear long sleeves if you can when it is dark.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

nini

JessieZeng

Hi,My name is AndyJessie.From Sichuan China.If you want to travel in Sichuan .U will send a e-mail to me.I can help U.abut your question"book a return ticket or do i hope that i have enough money to book a ticket from wherever i am at the time".Of course U can.Click here:http://jipiao.kuxun.cn/ U can book the ticket in here.If U are in china. I'm so sorry.I can't help U anymore .My english still having a few problem, but I getting better.wish U have a nice travel in china or anywhere.

amgine

born in macau. pls feel free to send me your question if you wanna visit my city. you will feel the unique blending of east and west, (i highly recommend to feel it by visiting the World Heritage "Historic Centre of Macau", you can experience macau by cultural activities, macanese cuisine etc), see how does chinese live with western people for hundreds of years.

stanzou

actually i see a helper say its a portuguse country?But its a Chinese sepcial area,i mean Macao belongs to China,so i hope there will not be any voice like that again.Also to Hongkong and Taiwan,i should say,we are all the generations of dragons,we have the same language and culture,we are a family.